Sustainability Accomplishments
The Town of Ithaca has demonstrated its commitment to be a leader in sustainability through several actions and initiatives. A sampling is highlighted below.
LED Lamp Replacement Completed
Initiative to replace streetlamps with LED lights completed.
Updated Electric Vehicle Charging
Updated EV charging to accessory use in most Town zones, making charging more convenient for residents and developers.
Updated Zoning for Solar Energy
Zoning for solar energy systems updated to now include building and ground solar facilities. Town of Ithaca Large Scale Solar Overlay Zone Map.
Created a Full-Time Sustainability Planner Position
Won NYSERDA grant for Stretch to Zero Pilot Program
Adopted a Green Fleet Policy
This policy was developed to assist Town policymakers and Town staff in working toward two Town Goals: reduce greenhouse gas emission and reduce fuel costs incurred by the Town.
Adopted the Ithaca Energy Code Supplement (IECS)
Adopted the Ithaca Energy Code Supplement (IECS), code requirements for new construction that will substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions while emphasizing affordability. Learn more on the Town Codes page and here.
Produced GHG Emissions Inventories
Find the Town’s 2021 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory here.
Adopted a Form-Based Code
Learn more about form-based code on the Planning Department’s page about new neighborhood code.
Clean Heating Campaign
Ran Clean Heating Campaign in partnership with HeatSmart Tompkins, resulting in community heat pump installations and $5,000 in grant funding.
Town Met GHG Reduction Goal
The Town met the previously set goal to reduce GHG emissions from government facilities by 30% by 2020.
Adopted Green New Deal
The main goal of the Town’s Green New Deal is to achieve an equitable transition to carbon-neutrality Town-wide by 2030. The Town also set two goals for its own operations to be met by 2025: to meet the electricity needs of Town government operations with 100% regionally sourced renewable electricity and to reduce emissions from the Town fleet of vehicles by 50%.
EVs and Charging Stations
Installed an electric vehicle (EV) charging station at Town Hall (2019), added two EVs to the Town fleet, and partnered in EV Tompkins, to increase the number of local EV drivers.
Climate Smart Community
Attained NYS DEC Climate Smart Community Status at the Bronze level (first Town or City in Southern Tier to do so).
Joined Ithaca 2030 District
Joined Ithaca 2030 District, and the District set their own energy, water, and emissions reductions goals to meet by 2025 and 2030. The Town of Ithaca has met the 2025 water usage goal and is off track to mee the 2025 energy use reduction goal. Learn more about Ithaca 2030 District.
Residential Energy Score Project (RESP)
Led the Residential Energy Score Project (RESP), a collaboration with four other Tompkins County municipalities to develop a residential energy score program to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes. New York State rolled out regional pilot programs in several locations across the state, including Ithaca, partly due to these efforts. Learn more about RESP.
Solar Energy Regulations
Adopted solar energy regulations to facilitate development and operation of solar systems.
Wastewater Treatment
The Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility, recognized by the U.S. DOE for its efforts, has improved the efficiency of its operations dramatically and offsets its energy needs on-site through the production and use of biogas.
Green Purchasing Policy
Adopted a Green Purchasing Policy, which set guidelines for Environmentally Preferable Purchasing in an effort to purchase products and services that have a positive impact on the environment and human health.
Comprehensive Plan
Adopted the Comprehensive Plan, which features sustainability as a thread-through theme and contains a chapter on energy and climate protection. Read the Comprehensive Plan here.
Energy Action Plan
Adopted the Government Energy Action Plan, and met the goal of reducing GHG emissions in government operations by 30% by 2020. Read the Government Energy Action Plan here.